Williams on target with 2013 car

28 November 2012

The Williams F1 team is 'on target' with the design of its 2013 F1 challenger, chief operations engineer, Mark Gillan has confirmed.

The Grove-based outfit bounced back this season after a dismal 2011 and after only scoring 5 points in the previous campaign notched up 76 in 2012, as well as of course winning in Spain, when Pastor Maldonado proved the class of the field.

Looking back on the year, Gillan added he was happy with how things have gone and that they will be looking for similar 'continuous improvement' next year.

“We are pleased with how our car has performed this season and the FW34 is clearly a decent step forward from the FW33,” Gillan said following the season finale in Brazil. “This season has been one of the most tightly fought ever and the rate of development and level of competition has been fierce.

“In base performance most teams will have improved their cars by over one second per lap, but the real benefit has come in understanding the tyres and how to optimise the car balance for tyre performance, both in qualifying and the race.

“As per 2012 we want to see continuous improvement now in all aspects of the team throughout the winter and into the 2013 season.

“We need to learn from the mistakes and successes of 2012 and to ensure everything that we do is as efficient as possible.

“Both the 2013 car design and initial production of the large lead time components are on target.”

Meanwhile asked about the teams three drivers, Maldonado, Bruno Senna and test and reserve pilot, Valtteri Bottas, Gillan said all three had delivered, although he gave no hint as to who will be retained for 2013.

“It has been a pleasure working with our three drivers. For sure as a team we have had our highs and lows, but each driver has made an important contribution to the team and the level of detail regarding feedback and interaction with both the race team and importantly the factory based staff has proved very beneficial,” he added.